National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF): Unknown

Engagement with the HRC

Principal sponsorship of HRC resolutions

Protection of the family; Human rights and climate change; Human rights and preventing and countering violent extremism; Protection of journalists in situations of armed conflict.

Voting record

Since it first became a member of the Council in 2006, Bangladesh has (in the absence of consensus) voted: in favour of a number of resolutions on the Syrian Arab Republic (though in more recent times it has abstained); and against resolutions on the situations in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Sudan. Bangladesh has tended to abstain on resolutions on the situations in Belarus and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Bangladesh voted against the 2012 item 2 resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka, though it joined consensus on a 2015 item 2 resolution on the situation of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. For item 7 resolutions (human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories), Bangladesh has consistently voted in favour of all texts. On item 10 resolutions (capacity-building), Bangladesh has joined consensus on all resolutions except for two that were voted on during the period of its membership: on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Bangladesh voted in favour), and cooperation with Ukraine (Bangladesh abstained).
For thematic resolutions dealing with civil and political rights, Bangladesh has generally joined consensus. Where there has been a vote, Bangladesh usually votes in favour. Notwithstanding, it voted against a 2011 resolution on sexual orientation, and abstained on a number of texts dealing with religious discrimination (2007), religious tolerance (2009) and torture (2009). Bangladesh also abstained during a 2015 vote on a resolution on the use of drones.
For thematic resolutions dealing with economic, social and cultural rights, Bangladesh has either joined consensus on, or has voted in favour of, all adopted texts.

Universal Periodic Review

Participation in other reviews1st cycle: 84 / 192

2nd cycle: 84 / 192

Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Cited in the Secretary General’s reports on 'alleged reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' (2010-2018)?

NO

Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments

Specific voluntary pledges: 19

Bangladesh tabled ‘voluntary pledges and commitments’ in support for its candidacy for membership for the period 2015-2017 on 16 September 2014. The document presents Bangladesh’s international and national level commitments and pledges for its membership term.

At domestic level, Bangladesh pledged to: enact national legislation to implement the international human rights instruments to which it is Party; preserve the independence of the judiciary and freedom of the press; strengthen the statutory and watchdog bodies; ensure effective parliamentary oversight; provide training programmes in the field of human rights; work for the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Plan of Action, and the outcomes of other major UN international conferences; and promote and protect the rights of minorities and workers.

At the international level, Bangladesh made commitments to: meet its treaty reporting obligations; cooperate with Special Procedures and other Council mechanisms, with a view to continuing to extend invitations to Special Rapporteurs to visit (on a regular basis); continue to engage with the UPR mechanism and implement recommendations; continue to support the work of the OHCHR; act as a bridge-builder between different groups at the Council; promote the realisation of the right to development; continue to support the UN agencies, programmes and funds; pursue the issue of human rights and climate change; and advocate for the rights of migrant workers across the entire migration cycle.

An analysis of steps taken by Bangladesh in fulfilment of its international pledges shows that Bangladesh has actively participated in the Council’s panel discussions, interactive dialogues, and general debates. Regarding cooperation with the Special Procedures, Bangladesh has only facilitated seven visits and it is yet to answer 18 visit requests; furthermore, it has only responded to 25 of 43 communications received. Concerning cooperation with Treaty Bodies, Bangladesh has submitted its reports under five of the seven conventions of which it is a party, and has two periodic reports overdue. Bangladesh is an active supporter of the UPR mechanism, participating in the reviews of 84 other states during the first and second cycles.